8615 NE Hazel Dell Avenue, Vancouver, WA  98665

(360) 574-7477

Lava All-Ceramic Crowns and Bridges

     Metal Edge under Porcelain            Lava all-ceramic edge

One of the problems with traditional crowns was the “black line” that appeared at the edges as the gums receded over time. The “black line” was really a metal collar at the edges in the early days when it was assumed the metal was needed for strength.  Gum recession eventually exposes roots of teeth, which look dark when metal covering the tooth blocks light that would otherwise “illuminate” the root. 

We have placed crowns without visible metal collars for over 25 years, and have been able to use porcelain veneers without metal to restore teeth with minimal breakdown. 

Now we can offer crowns and bridges without metal.  The Lava™ All-Ceramic System presents an innovative CAD/CAM technology for all-ceramic crowns and bridges on a zirconia base. Zirconia is a high-tech ceramic material that is characterized by its outstanding stability and biocompatibility, as well as strength levels significantly higher than other all-ceramic materials. In addition to strength, Lava all-ceramic system restorations display excellent esthetics and precise fit characteristics. 

We have already used Lava for a number of cases, and have never seen better results. The appearance where the tooth emerges from the gums looks more natural then ever, and we can count on the porcelain to transmit light to the root if the root is exposed by receding gums.